Refrigerating apparatus.



Patented May 1, 1917.

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I. C. BERTSCH. REFRIGERATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED IuIIEI. 1915. IIEIIEWED sEPTJI, 191s.

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REFRIGERATXNG APPARATUS.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May il, 1917,

Application led .Tune 7, 1915, Serial No. 32,605. Renewed September 27, 1916-. Serial No. 122,561.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN C. BER'rsoH, a, citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating Ap-v paratus, of which the following is a speciication.

rThis invention relates to"`improvements in apparatus for refrigeration by the use of readily condensable fluids or vapors.

The invention is particularly intended for use in refrigerating plants or apparatus of small capacity, such as are adapted for use in residences, stores or commercialestablishments, but it is to be understood that the novel features-herein described are by no means limited to the type of machines inentioned, but are equally adaptable to other machines of any capacity.

The main object ofthe invention is to provide a cheap refrigerating apparatus which is extremely simple construction, highly ecient in operation, and perfectly safe and durable.

Another object of the invention is to provvide for an absolute separation of lrefrigerant and lubricant; toyinsure a'free fiow of the latter to all movingjparfts, andfto prevent placed on top of the refrigerator R in order the passage of lubricant into the evaporator.

f ln general the invention operates on the".

wellknown compression system in which a highly volatile fluid, such asethyl chlorid, methyl chlorid, rhigolene, or the like, is vaporized within a pipe coil, called ^the evaporator, -for the purpose ofv absorbing heat fromv its surroundings. The gas thus formedV is then compressed and discharged into another pipe coil, called the condenser,y in which it is cooled and thereby liquefied for repeated use in the evaporator.

'To accomplish this process provide a rotary compressor within a casting which forms a common base forcompressor and motor. The compressor body or cylinder T provide with openingswhich arecnnected to the ends ofthe vaporator and condenser coils, and with a flanged neck on top to which is connected a separator for the separation of compressed gas land lubricant. To, the top of the separator is connected the condenser coilwhich forms wit-h its lower end s a receptacle for the'liquid refrigerant.

rThe cylinder heads I provide with por-ts and pockets for storing a quantity of lubricant,'preferably anhydrous glycerin, for the lubrication of all moving parts and for Sealing of all clearance spaces.

The entire apparatus comprising the compressor, separator and condenser l immerce in cooling water by means of a water jacket formed in part by the base and in part by a covered cylinder set upon the latter, for.

Fig. 2 is a. broken 0H part of a vertical I section on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, showing at modification in the construction. of the separator and top or cover of water jacket. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is a vertical section-,on line 4 4 of Fig. 3, with the upper part broken od.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the stuing box packing-gland. Fig. v6 is a vertical section of the stuiiing box on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

rThe complete apparatus is preferably to eliminate all pipe connections; but it may be placed at any other place, with the evapo rator coil connected' either sidewise, behind or above the refrigerating apparatus with' construction, and which differs from those used heretofore in the parts hereinafter described. Over the opening 11 in the bottom of base 10 is bolted Water-tight the compressor cylinder 12 which together with cylinder heads 13 and 14 differ in their construction from those used heretofore. The cylinder 12 is provided on ,one side with a vapor-chamber 15, on the other side with a liquid chamber I16, and on top with a flanged neck 17 which contains an outlet 18 for gas and an inlet 19 and channel 2O for lubricant, having at the bottom a similar channel 21 with drain pipe 22. A

The liquid chamber 1 6 is provided with vchamber 15 by pipe inlet 23 and, outlet 24 the latter being coninected to one end of evaporating coil 27 by pipe 25 and regulating valve 26 which may be of any suitable construction. The other end of coil 27 (Fig. 1) is connected to vapor 28, all three connections 22, 25, and 28 passing through opening 11 into the open space between base 10 and refrigerator R, from whence they may be distributed in any desired direction.

The cylinder heads 13 and 14 contain the bearings for shaft 29 which carries the rotor 30. The rear head 13 is provided (with passages 31 and ports 32 through which the lubricant stored in the front head and coming through channels 20 and 21 is distributed to the bearings and all interior parts of the rotary compressor. rll`he front head 14 is provided with a bearing plate 33 preferably made of hardened steel and containing lubricating ports 34 and 35 (Fig. 1). Bearing plate 33 forms with head 14 an annular space 36 for storing lubricant which falls by gravity from the separator (described hereafter) through inlet 19 into channel 20 and from there into space 36 through passage 37, supplying through passage 38 channel 21 and all ports in the rear head. llf desired or required for special i 1 conditions, rear head 13 may be arranged fas with storage space in exactly the same manner as front head 14, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, thereby making both heads alike; or the location of the storage space 36 may bereversed and front head 14 arranged like rear head 13, and the latter like front head 14, without in the least departing from the scope of my invention which provides practical means for the perfect and automatic lubrication of all moving parts and the sealing of all clearance spaces-without using oilers, adjustment and careful attention from the exterior of the apparatus.

Front head 14 is also provided with a threaded stuffing box sleeve 39 which passes through casing 40 of base 10, to which it is fastened water-tight by a threaded extension 41 and soft rubber ring 42-(Fig. 5).

The liquid refrigerant passes from chamber 16 through pipe 25 and regulating valve 26 into evaporator 27, which is surrounded either by water, air or brine, or by any other substance to be cooled. Whatever the surroundings of the evaporator may be, the refrigerant within the latter must abstract heat from the former, which it does by vaporizing, that is, by changing from liquid to vapor. The latter, too expensive for being wasted, must be changed into liquid again for repeated use in the evaporator, which is done by removing'the vapor from the evaporator coil 27 .by suction through pipe 28 and chamber 15 into the compres sor, where it is compressed and discharged,

cups or other devices requiringl together with the lubricant used for lubrication and sealing, into the separator through gas outlet 18 and discharge pipe 43.

The separator consists of a cylindrical body,44, with a flanged neck 45 at its bottom connected gas-tight to cylinder neck 17, and on top closed gas-tight by cover 46 which carries within the body 44 one or more concentric cylinders 47.

The mixture of superheated gas and lubricant, discharged through pipe 43 vwith a velocity of from 3000 to 5000 feet per minute, is thrown against the top of cylinder 47 which has a cross area of about ten times that of pipe 43, so that the velocity of the mixture within cylinder 47 is instantly reduced to from 300 to 500 feet per minute.

A still greater. reduction in the velocity of the mixture, one as low as from 30 to 100 feet per minute, may be had by providing another cylinder 47a (Fig. 1) which is open at the top and forms at the bottom an integral part of body 44, being covered by a cover 48 reduction in velocity, ward and then upward movement of the vmixture of gas and lubricant, causes the latter,

which is much heavier than the former to drop out. The lubricant is collected in the space formed by pipe 43 and neck 45, and passes through inlet 19 and channel 20 into the passages 31 and 37, and through the latter into the storage space 36. The gas, freed from lubricant, and also deprived of the heat of compression by 'the cooling action of the body 44 and cover 46, passes through outlet 49 in the cover 46 into the condensing coil 50 in a saturated condition and is condensed in the latter by the cooling action of the water surrounding the entire apparatus.

The apparatus may be operated either on what is known as the flooded or on the dry system of compression; thatI is to say, the gas from the evaporator may reach the compressor in a. saturated or even oversaturated condition, or in a slightly superheated condition.

ln the former case the discharged gas has but little superheat, whereas in the latter case the superheat may be very great. For services where but little superheat exists, the cooling of the gas within the separator is not desirable, and the body 44 is provided with a suitable non-conductive jacket 51 (Fig. 2) which may also be extended over the cover 46 if required (not shown).

But for a majority of services where more or less superheat exists, the separator body 44 is provided with a liquid outlet 52 (Fig. 4) in order to pass into the lower part of condenser coil 50 the liquid which might be formed within the separator, of which hungto the cover 46. This assisted by the down-- body 44 and cover 46 forms a part of the condenser. Y

rl`he lower end of coil 50 is provided with a fitting 53, which connects vwith outlet 52 and liquid pipe 54, or only with the latter in case of an insulated separator body 44. (Figs. 1 and 2). rlhe liquid pipe 54 is provided with an elbow 55 which connects with the inlet 23 of the liquid chamber 16.

The process of mechanical refrigeration being simply a transfer of heat from the substance to be cooled to the cooling water of the condenser, .which heat is 'increased by the heat of compression, it is evident that the elicient taking up of heat by the very important part of the whole process, and that it is necessary to keep all parts of the machine as well as the lubricant and liquid refrigerant as cool as possible with the least quantity of water. j v

Based upon the law of gravitation, the warmer of two bodies of different temperatures always seeks a higher, and the colder of the twoy a lower level. bviously, the colder water must enter at the bottom and the warmer water run to waste on top of the apparatus, in order to run in a counter current with the refrigerant and lubricant, which are the hottest on top and coldest at the bottom.

This natural vlaw is 'strictly carried out in this invention, and to obtain the best results with the simplest mechanism, and at the same time prevent clogging up by mud and enable the quick and easy cleaning of the water space, the whole apparatus comprescooling water is a sor, separator, condenser, liquid refrigerant and lubricant, is immersed in water, which is contained in a jacket partly formed by the base 10 and partly by a cylindrical casing 56, bolted water-tight to base y1() and covered by either a lose cover 57, as shown in F ig. 1, or a cover 58 tightly bolted to casing 56 as shown in Fig. 2.

The fresh or coldest water enters near the bottom of base 10 through inlet 59 (F ig. 4) and cools first the liquid refrigerant in chamber 16 and pipe 54, as well as the lubricant within heads 13 and 14 together with the cylinder 12. Then the gradually upward moving water cools the separator and condenser while the gas and lubricant are moving downwardly, which results in the gradual increase in temperatureof the cool- -ing water and a gradual decrease in temperature of the refrigerant and lubricant. l/Vhen reaching the hottest part or the top of the apparatus, the water has completed its work and runs to waste, either externally through funnel 60 and outlet 61 (Fig. 1), or internally through jacket 62 and waste pipe 63 (Fig. 2).

The funnel 60 and jacket 62 are provided for an equal distribution of the water overlow over the entire circumference of the apparatus, and also for giving the outlet' 61 and waste pipe 63 a certain head pressure, thereby preventing an uneven temperature within the condenser as well as a spilling of waste water, which a simple water outlet near the top edge of casing 56. The bottom of base 10 is provided with a water drain 11a.

0f vital importance for the successful operation of a refrigerating lmachine of small capacity is the proper keeping of the stuiling box, which must be provided with an automatic adjustment for different pressures, and also with means for preventing the intake of air as of the lubricant (glycerin) in front of the stuffing box gland. An auxiliary stufling box in front of the main-stutling box has been proposed for this purpose, but the use is liable to occur with well as the drying out for overcomingf'the friction, which grows rapidly with units of small capacity and raises the power rate to a prohibitive height. To overcome these obstacles without the use of an auxiliary stuiiing box, l provide in front of the regular or ordinary gland 64 (Figs. 1, 5 and with a sub-gland 65, which is held in place and fixed relation to gland 64 by two or more dowel pins 6 6. Sub-gland 65 bears upon gland 64 only with a part of its surface, the other part forming a sulicient space for the free turning of an 'oil ring 67 upon shaft 29. The stuliing box extension 41 is provided with a screw cap 68 which bears a guard 69 for the protection of the flexible coupling 70Abetween shaft 29 and motor shaft 71.

Between sub-gland 65 and cap 68 l place I a spring 76, adjustable by screwing cap 68 in or out, for` holding stuffing box packing 72 automatically under the proper pressure. rThe receptacle 75 formed by extension 41 and screw cap 68 is filled partly with mineral oil or the like, into which is dipping oil ring 67, continuously carrying oil upon shaft 29 while the latter is turning. To carry the oil partly Within the gland 64, the latter is provided with a larger bore for a part of its length, forming an annular space 73. A disk 74, rigidly mounted upon shaft 29, prevents the oil from reaching coupling 70 by throwing oif by centrifugal force any particle of oil which might reach disk 74, and depositing same in the receptacle 75, at the bottom of which is accumulating also all the glycerin which might be forced outof the stuffing box packing by pressure within the compressor.

All stop valves, pressure gages, thermostatic control and other devices, ordinarily 'provided with refrigerating, machines of in most cases rather a detriment than a help to the apparatus. But if desired, these auxiliary devices may be applied to this invention in any one of the well known methods, without in the least changing the modus operandi of the apparatus as`described. 1

I claim:

1. vIn a refrigerating apparatus, the bination with a condensing conduit ofa water jacket surrounding the same, said water jacket having an inlet at the bottom and an internal overflow wall in the upper part, forming an annular chamber in the jacket, and an outlet from said chamber.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus, the coinbination of a compressor, lubricant separar tor, condenser and evaporator connected in series for the circulation of a refrigerant through the same, and a water filled casing inclosing the compressor, the condenser and the separator, the connections to the evaporator extending through the wall of said casing.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of la compressor, lubricant separator, condenser and evaporator connected in series for the circulation of a refrigerant through the same, and a casing adapted to contain water and inclosing the compressor,

the condenser and theseparator, said cas'- COU).-

ing comprising a hollow base with an opening in the bottom thereof and a shell supported on said base, the compressor being mounted in said base over theopening, the separator and condenser being mounted on the compressor, and the connections from the compressor to the evaporator extending through said opening.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, bination of a compressor, lubricant separator, a condenser and an evaporator connected in series for the circulation of a refrigerant through the same, the separator and condenser being supported upon-the compressor casing and the evaporator being connected to said casing. j

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a separator, a condenser coil surrounding the same and connected thereto, a compressor on which said separator and coil are supported and with which the separator communicates, yand a water jacket surrounding they separator and the coil.l

6. In combination in a refrigerating apparatus, a compressor for fluid refrigerant, a ba'se having a cooling water compartment formed therein in which said compressor is mounted, a lubricant separator mounted on said compressor and communicating with the outlet port thereof, a condenser coil surrounding the separator and communicating at the inlet end thereof with the outlet of the separator, said coil extending downwardly into said compartment, an evaporator comin the compressor,

ant,

the communicating with the outlet of the condenser coil, and with the inlet of the compressor,

and a water jacket mounted on said base, surrounding said condenser coil and said separator and receiving cooling water fi'om said compartment.

7 In a refrigerating apparatus the combination of a compressor for lui refrigerant a base for the compressor adapted to support a driving motor for the compressor and providedwith a cooling water compartment in which the compressor is located, a

lubricant separator mounted on the ,compressor communicating with the outlet thereof, and with an internal lubricant chamber formed within the compressor, a condenser mounted on and located above the compressor, surrounding the separator and communicating with the fluid outlet thereof, and with a refrigerant chamber formed withan evaporator receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and a water jacket mounted on the base communicating with the compartment and receiving cooling water therefrom and surrounding said separator and said condenser.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, the com-1 bination of a compressor-for fluid refrigera base for the compressor adapted to support a driving motor for the compressor and provided with a cooling water compartment in which the compressor is located, a lubricant separator mounted on the compressor communicating withv the outlet thereof, a condenser surrounding the separator and communicating with the fluid outlet thereof, an evaporator receiving refrigerant from said condenser, and a water jacket mounted on the base communicating with the compartment and receiving cooling water therefrom and surroundingsaid separator and said condenser 9. In a refrigerating apparatus, a rotary compressor for fluid refrigerant, a base therefor having a compartment formed therein in which said compressor is located and through a wall of'which the shaft of the compressor projects, a lubricant separator',

located above the compressor and communi-` cating with the outlet thereof, a condenser surrounding the separator and communicating therewith, an evaporator communicating with the inlet of the compressor, a waterjacket for the separator and the condenser mounted on the base and communicating with said compartment, a cooling water inlet communicating with .thecompartment and a water discharge passage communicating with the upper end of the water jacket.

10. In a refrigerating apparatus, a rotary compressor having a refrigerant chamber and a lubricant distributing chamber formed within the walls thereof, a separator located above and'mounted' on the compressor and with the outlet of the condenser, and

communicating With the outlet of the rotary compressor and With said lubricant chamber, a condenser surrounding the separator and communicating With the iuid outlet thereof and with said refrigerant chamber, an evaporator communicating With said refrigerant chamber and With the inlet port of the compressor, and a Water jacket surroundingthe compressor, the separator and the condenser, provided near the bottom thereof With a cooling Water inlet port and near the top thereof With a cooling Water discharge passage. y

l1. ln a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a rotary compressor for fluid refrigerant, having an inlet port and an outlet port formed in the cylindrical portionof the compressor and having a refrigerant chamber and a lubricant distributing chamber formed Within the compressor casing, a separator communicating with the outlet of the compressor and having a port communicating with the lubricant distributing chamber, a condenser communicating with the outlet of the separator and With the refrigerant chamber of the compressor, and an evaporator communicating With the refrigerant chamber and With the inlet of the compressor, all connections with the compressor being Within the cylindrical Wall'thereof whereby the heads of the compressor are free of said connections.

l2. A refrigerating apparatus comprising a compressor, a condenser, a lubricant separator communicating with the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the condenser, an evaporator communicating With the outlet of the compressor, a chamber adapted to contain cooling Water located above the compressor and inclosing the separator and the condenser, said separator being superimposed on the compressor and said condenser the condenser and the inlet of being'in the form of a coil surrounding the Y compressor and the inlet of the condenser,

an evaporator communicating vvith the nlet of the compressor and the outlet of the condenser, and a chamber adapted to contain ,cooling Water located above the compressor and inclosing the condenser and the separator, the condenser and the separator being mounted on said compressor.

14.A A refrigerating apparatus comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, a separator communicating With the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the coil and surrounded by the coil, an evaporator communicating with the outlet of the coil and the inlet of the compressor, a cooling chamber inclosing the compressor, a second cooling chamber located above the compressor and inclosing the condenser and the separator,

and means for passing cooling liquid in series through said chambers.

l5. A refrigerating apparatus, comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, a separator communicating with the outlet of the compressor and thev inlet of the coil, and surrounded by the coil, an evaporator communicating with the outlet of the coil and the inlet of -the compressor, a passage formed Within the casing of the compressor for establishing communication between the condenser Coil and the evaporator, and a chamber surrounding the condenser and evaporator, and located above the compressor.

ln testimony whereof, l afIiX my signature in presence of tvvo Witnesses.

JOHN C. BERTSCH. Witnesses:

THos. CAMPBELL, RUDOLPH CARLSON. 

